Wealden’s BNG level is set at 20%.

The NPPF states: "applicants are encouraged to consider biodiversity net gain early in the development process and factor it into site selection and design. Where appropriate, they should discuss the biodiversity net gain requirements for their development upfront with the relevant local planning authority utilising any pre-application advice services offered by them. This could help establish whether development proposals would be subject to biodiversity net gain and, if they are, enable feedback on the proposed strategy for achieving the biodiversity gain objective and consideration of the Biodiversity Gain Hierarchy to inform the design of the proposals"

Please note, If you work for the LPA and wish to add additional information, please inform the Joe's Blooms team here.

Wealden’s pre-application advice service can be found here.

Wealden is part of the East Sussex and Brighton & Hove Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Information can be found here.

Specific BNG requirements are set out in Policy NE2 of the Local Plan Draft (drafted May 2024).

Qualifying development proposals are required to deliver a minimum overall net gain in biodiversity of 20% above the ecological baseline. Biodiversity net gain will be calculated and assessed using the appropriate DEFRA published biodiversity metric and UK Habitats Classifications. The biodiversity net gain calculation and assessment should be completed by a suitably experienced and qualified ecologist and be submitted in full with the application for development.

See also the BNG Page.

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